Today's Hours

The electric vehicle segment has evolved nicely over the years. Gone are the days of crazy styling and super-limited driving ranges. Now, EVs easily crest the 150-mile mark — some even exceed 200 or 300 miles — and they look better than ever doing it. Two sharp-looking EVs available today are the 2019 Chevy Bolt EV and the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric, but the Ioniq has a big deficiency in EV range.

Which of these EVs is the better buy for our Glendale Heights, Illinois shoppers? Find out below.

Exterior

Exterior styling went a little over the top in past electric vehicles, but automakers now realize EV buyers just want a simple car with all-electric power. Enter the 2019 Chevy Bolt EV and 2019 Hyundai Ioniq, which both feature basic styling that suits just about any buyer.

The 2019 Chevy Bolt EV boasts a traditional hatchback appearance that is attractive and bold without being overdone. Other than its closed-off grille, there is little else blowing this EV’s cover.

The Ioniq is a liftback instead of a hatchback, but with its liftgate closed it looks almost an everyday hybrid sedan. Because Hyundai styled it after the Ioniq Hybrid, it is just a touch more unique looking than the Bolt EV, but it is far from the overstyled messes we’ve seen from past EVs.

The 2019 Ioniq and 2019 Bolt EV have loads of standard exterior features that make them look more upscale and improve efficiency. These include sleek wheels, LED headlights, LED taillights and LED signature daytime running lights. The Bolt EV gets a small boost over the Ioniq with its standard 18-inch wheels.

Neither the Chevy Bolt EV nor the Hyundai Ioniq Electric are big vehicles. The 2019 Chevy Bolt EV is 164 inches long, 69.5 inches wide, and 62.8 inches high. It rides on a 102.4-inch wheelbase. The Ioniq Electric is longer and wider at 176 inches long and 71.7 inches wide, but it is lower at 57.1 inches tall. The Ioniq Electric sits on a 106.3-inch wheelbase.

Advantage: 2019 Chevy Bolt EV

Traditional-looking hatchback

Huge standard wheels

Smaller footprint makes it more manageable

Advantage: 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Sleek liftback design

Does not draw too many stares

Interior

While its exterior is straightforward, the 2019 Bolt EV’s interior takes a small step backward with styling. It’s not that the Bolt EV’s cabin is ugly; it’s more the fact it oozes EV styling, which can turn some buyers off. This styling includes its wild, two-tone dash, funky gear shifter, and in-your-face gauges. Some buyers may love these obvious EV details, but the masses may prefer a more reserved take.

Speaking of reserved takes, the Ioniq Electric’s interior is just that. Other than its eco gauges and a few small details, the 2019 Ioniq’s interior look just like any other Hyundai sedan. It is sleek, stylish, functional, and allows your eyes to focus on the road instead of the wild color schemes or design.

Inside, the 2019 Chevy Bolt EV has loads of front-seat space with 39.7 inches of headroom, 41.6 inches of legroom, 54.6 inches of shoulder room, and 51.6 inches of hip room. The Ioniq Electric is also roomy as it has an extra 0.6 inches of legroom, 1.5 inches of shoulder room and 2.2 inches of hip room relative to the Bolt EV, but it falls short in headroom by 0.6 inches.

In its rear seats, the Bolt EV offers 37.9 inches of headroom, 36.5 inches of legroom, 52.8 inches of shoulder room, and 50.8 inches of hip room. The Ioniq Electric comes up short in headroom and legroom by 0.5 and 0.8 inches, respectively. The Hyundai comes back to beat the Bolt EV by 2.2 inches of shoulder room and 2.1 inches of hip room.

Like any good hatchback, the 2019 Bolt EV offers decent cargo-hauling space at 16.9 cubic feet with the seats upright and 56.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Ioniq Electric offers 23 cubic feet with its seats up, but Hyundai did not release its capacity with the seats folded.

Advantage: 2019 Chevy Bolt EV

EV styling may be just right for some buyers

Huge max cargo capacity

More rear legroom

Advantage: 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Wide seats

Toned-down styling

Premium features

Performance

Affordable electric cars are supposed to be slow, right? They are supposed to be anything but exciting, correct? Well, the 2019 Chevy Bolt tosses that old belief to the side with its permanent magnetic drive motor that produces 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. This gives it a surprisingly quick 6.5-second 0-to-60 sprint time.

Thanks to its 60-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, the Bolt EV can travel up to 238 miles between charges, giving it EPA ratings of 128 mpg-e city, 110 highway, and 119 combined. On a 240-volt charger, the Bolt EV takes 9.5 hours to recharged while a DC fast charger can deliver up to 90 miles on just a 30-minute charge.

The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric isn’t as powerful as the Bolt EV with its interior-permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering 118 horsepower and 218 pound-feet of torque. It’s not as quick as the Bolt EV either with its 8.1-second 0-to-60 sprint time.

The Ioniq Electric’s 28-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack allows it to travel up to 124 miles on a charge, and its more efficient charging gives it EPA ratings of 150 mpg-e city, 122 highway, and 136 combined. On a 240-volt charger, the Ioniq takes just 4.4 hours to recharge. Need a quick charge? The Ioniq can get an 80 percent recharge in 23 minutes on 100-kilowatt fast charger or 33 minutes on 50-kilowatt fast charger.

Advantage: 2019 Chevy Bolt EV

Sports-car-quick to 60 mph

Class-leading range

Advantage: 2019 Hyundai Ioniq

Quick charging

Wide stance delivers good handling

Pricing and Features

The 2019 Chevy Bolt EV has just two trim levels — LT and Premier — and their prices start from $37,495 and $41,895, respectively.

The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq comes in a pair of trim levels — base and Limited — and their starting prices start from $29,815 and $36,315, respectively.

2019 Chevy Bolt EV Key Features and Pricing by Trim

LT: $37,495

Electric drive unit

60-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery

7.2-kilowatt-hour charging module

Regen On Demand

Electronic parking brake

Front-wheel drive

Drive mode selector

Keyless ignition

Four-wheel antilock disc brakes

17-inch painted aluminum wheels

Automatic-on/off headlights

Body-color door handles

Intermittent front wipers

HID headlights

LED daytime running lights

LED taillights

Black mirrors with heat and power operation

Intermittent rear wiper

Deluxe steering wheel

Six-speaker audio system

8-inch driver-information center

Body-color shark-fin antenna

Cargo cover

Carpeted front and rear floor mats

Cruise control

LED ambient lighting

Keyless open

Leather-wrapped shift knob with satin-silver and chrome accents

Outside temperature display

Power door locks

Power windows

Rear heat duct

60/40 split-folding rear seat

Remote keyless entry

Remote ignition

Automatic climate control

SiriusXM

Steering-wheel-mounted controls

Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel

Dual USB charging ports in center console

Chevrolet Infotainment System

10.2-inch touchscreen

Bluetooth connectivity and audio streaming

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Six-speaker audio system

4G LTE Wi-Fi

Teen Driver

Rearview camera

Premier: $41,895

All LT features, plus

17-inch Ultra-Bright aluminum wheels with painted pockets

Body-color door handles with chrome strips

Mirror-integrated turn signals

Roof-mounted side rails

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Automatic heated steering wheel

False cargo floor

Passenger’s seatback pocket

Heated front seats

Heated outboard rear seats

Blind-zone alert with lane-change alert

Rear cross-traffic alert

Rear parking sensors

Rear center armrest

360-degree camera

Perforated leather seating

Silver center-stack trim

2019 Hyundai Ioniq Key Features and Pricing by Trim

Base: $29,715

Interior-permanent magnet synchronous motor

28-kilowatt lithium-ion battery

Drive mode select

6.6-kilowatt-hour charging module

On-demand regenerative braking

Front-wheel drive

Electric parking brake with auto-hold

16-inch eco-spoke alloy wheels

Four-wheel disc brakes

Body-color power mirrors with heat

Two-speed intermittent front wipers

LED daytime running lights

LED taillights

Automatic projector headlights

Door handle courtesy lights

Single-zone automatic climate control

Power windows with one-touch-up/down driver’s window

Power door locks

Premium cloth seating

Heated front seats

60/40 folding rear seats

Center armrest storage

Passenger seatback pocket

Leather-wrapped steering

Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel

Steering-wheel-mounted control

Proximity key with keyless ignition

Bluetooth connectivity with streaming audio

USB charging port in center console

AM/FM/HD Radio/SiriusXM audio system

7-inch touchscreen

7-inch LCD gauge cluster

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Limited: $36,315

All Base features, plus

Power-folding mirrors with puddle lights

Mirror-integrated turn signals

Chrome beltline molding

Chrome door handles

HID headlights with LED guides

Sunroof

Heat pump

Rear heater vents

One-touch-up/down passenger window

10-way power driver’s seat

Leather seating

Driver’s seat memory

Premium door-sill plates

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

Universal home remote

Wireless charging pad

Eight-speaker Infinity premium audio system

Clari-fi Music Restoration Technology

8-inch navigation system

LED interior lighting

Who Should Buy the 2019 Chevy Bolt EV?

The younger crowd that prefers the hatchback segment will also approve of the wilder interior the Bolt EV comes with. This makes it the perfect option for this crowd. It’s also a better buy for those who need a little extra interior room or its impressive 238-mile EV range.

Who Should Buy the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric?

The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq is the better bet for a more established buyer who doesn’t have the patience for all the bells, whistles, and wild styling of the Bolt EV. But keep in mind, its lower EV driving range means it’ll work best for shorter daily commutes.

Ready to take your daily commute to Wheaton or family trips to Carol Stream without using a drop of gasoline? The 2019 Chevy Bolt EV is in stock here at Sunrise Chevrolet and ready for you to take it for a test drive. Swing by today to see if the Bolt is right for you. Can’t make it by our new-car showroom serving Lombardtoday? You can check out our online inventory to see what 2019 Bolt EV models we have in stock to pick the one that best suits you before coming in.